How would you engage the local community in the benefits of sustainable transport?

Question

There are obvious benefits to sustainable travel such as walking and cycling: it's healthy, it's eco-friendly, it's quick (no traffic jams) and it's free!

Its important to reduce carbon emissions by leaving the car at home.

We need to engage the local community - BUT HOW?

Answer 1

A few ideas off the top of my head:

Get the local authorities on your side and make them aware of your efforts.  Can they provide cycle lanes?

Consider the easy wins.  Encourage parents out of their cars for the school run.  Organise a school "snake" - I think that's the term for a supervised walk on a pre-set route to "collect" children for the walk to school.

Emphasise:  the cost of fuel, the need for kids to have more excercise, the additional pollution caused by cars on short journeys when the engine doesn't warm-up properly

Offer a bicycle safety check. Some cycle organisations will visit work place visits to do this and encourage people.

Would some local employers offer incentives to people to leave their cars at home

Answer 2

Difficult - in our area the pavements are badly maintained or non existent and the bus 'service' is a joke. If public transport were accessible and reasonably priced I think that would make a huge difference to peoples' motivation

Answer 3

It may be healthy, eco-friendly, quick and free, but a car or even a bus is so much easier and much more convenient.